Chapter 17: My family needs a woman to take care of things

  Since the Blue Bandit Troop began regular patrols, bandits in the surrounding areas of Ningwu County have disappeared. As the Blue Bandit Troop's actions gradually gained popularity among the people, more and more people volunteered to join the troop. Soon, the Blue Bandit Troop expanded to over 600 people, exceeding the initial limit of 200 set by the commander of Datong Town. Moreover, Kang Fan prioritized recruiting people with military experience and a certain level of cultural background, resulting in a higher quality of soldiers whose combat effectiveness was far superior to that of ordinary Qing dynasty soldiers. Additionally, Kang Fan established an all-cavalry force, which required significant expenses for purchasing horses. After Kang Fan took office as the commander of Ningwu Prefecture's central guard, he incorporated the Blue Bandit Troop into his own forces and abandoned its name, transforming it from a civilian militia to a regular Qing dynasty army unit. Following the merger with local garrison troops, the total number of soldiers reached over 3,000. After screening out unqualified soldiers and returning them to Datong Town, Kang Fan was left with over 2,000 elite soldiers, forming a genuine cavalry regiment.

  The 200 Blue Demon team members who followed Kang Fan were appointed to various military positions of different sizes in this expansion. These team members, after more than half a year of training under Kang Fan's guidance, have greatly improved their personal qualities and are reliable enough to lead troops. Additionally, with his own supervision, it should not be too difficult for the 2,000+ people to reach Kang Fan's expected combat quality. After the new batch of 3,000 Mosin-Nagant M1891 rifles, 10 Maxim water-cooled heavy machine guns, and 6 75mm field guns purchased by Duonowan arrived, the team's equipment was complete. Kang Fan entrusted Vickers, the British manufacturer of the Maxim water-cooled heavy machine gun, to modify all 15 of his purchased Maxim water-cooled heavy machine guns to fire the 7.62mm high-power cartridges used by the Mosin-Nagant M1891 rifle, unifying the ammunition specifications. Another measure was to order a batch of cavalry sabers from the United States and equip them uniformly for the cavalry team officers and soldiers. The military uniform of the cavalry team was changed back to the unified Qing army cavalry attire, but still with black leather boots. Finally, a certain number of new-style horse-drawn carriages were equipped for the cavalry team, used for artillery traction or transportation.

  Kang Fan was allocated a house in the county town's military camp, an independent courtyard located north of the camp, with 3 main rooms and 4 side rooms. There were many tall and sturdy trees in the yard, but it was unknown who had planted them before. A winding path paved with bluestone led through the forest to the main hall. When Kang Fan moved in, it was already approaching the Spring Festival that year. Looking around, the courtyard was quiet and secluded, with green bricks and gray tiles, trees towering into the sky, leaves scattered all over the ground, and snow accumulated everywhere. Adolf and Chi Tu lived with him here, one person, one horse, and one dog, which was quite lively. Every time Kang Fan went to the county town, it was a bit far if he walked, so he could only ride Chi Tu, which was convenient, while Adolf stayed behind to guard the house.

  The military camp is located in a narrow and long mountain valley north of the county town, covering an area of over 2,000 mu, with a capacity to accommodate 5,000 soldiers without any problem. The scale is already very large. Although the living and training facilities in the military camp are complete, they are old and do not meet the requirements. It is no longer suitable for construction now. Kang Fan plans to carry out large-scale renovation and expansion here after the spring of next year, building a modern multi-functional military camp that meets his own requirements, training officers and new recruits, and making preparations for creating his own new army in the future. The small military camp originally used by the Blue Demon Team was requisitioned by the next industrial development plan and will be rebuilt as a factory, continuing to play its role.

  After the cavalry regiment moved into this military camp, it can be based here for training and patrol. The patrol range of small-scale patrol teams with 10 to 30 officers and soldiers has covered the vast areas around the four counties under Ningwu Prefecture, while the Blue Wolf Troop was limited in scale and could only take care of the area around Ningwu County. In this way, with the cooperation of the police station personnel in each county town, the entire Ningwu Prefecture is always under the control of the government, and the people in the jurisdiction finally enjoyed the long-lost peace and tranquility, also providing a suitable social environment for Kang Fan's subsequent industrial development plan.

  At this time, the development of Ma Fang Township Industrial Park was thriving, with a large number of cheap and good quality medicines, daily chemical products and other supplies rapidly increasing in the consumer market, and profits were also rolling in. Yu Hao also received the thickest annual tax income since he came here and a most peaceful Spring Festival, and even more so, he received his uncle's very moving words of praise, with an exceptionally pleasant mood.

  It is said that Suzhou and Hangzhou produce beautiful women. For his brother, Yu Hao specially brought back two Jiangnan women to serve as maids for his younger brother, also helping him take care of daily life. His younger brother's solitary life with only a horse and a dog was indeed pitiful.

  Kang Fan indeed needed someone to take care of the household chores, although he usually ate with the officers and soldiers in the military camp's dining hall, but how could he let these big men do the household chores? At this point, there was no refusal.

  Before Kang Fan could bring these two white and clean Jiangnan women back to the military camp, they were intercepted by Mei Xiang halfway.

  Kang Fan, you've really made a fortune! Just becoming a fifth-rank official and you dare to have a second wife?! Meixiang was furious.

  It was right on the main street, with many passersby. Kang Fan was suddenly left at a loss by her, and couldn't even figure out how she knew about it. His face red and his neck thick, he explained for a good while but still couldn't clarify the situation.

  Mei Xiang violently pulled him off the horse, her eyebrows inverted and eyes wide open: You will send them back to Yu Hao right now! If you don't agree, I'll die in front of you right now! As she spoke, she ran into the hospital and grabbed a gleaming surgical knife, placing it against her pale neck. From her expression, it seemed like she was serious about carrying out her threat!

  Kang Fan was so frightened that his soul flew away, and he reached out to grab the knife. Mei Xiang suddenly retreated a few steps back, pretending to cut. Kang Fan quickly stopped, standing in place and waving his hands hastily: "Okay, okay, I'll send it back right now, I'll send it back right now!" After that, he shouted loudly at the carriage driver: "Hurry up and send it back, hurry up and send it back!"

  The coachman was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood and urged the carriage to hurry back. The two Jiangnan women sitting in the carriage stuck their heads out of the window to see what was going on, their youthful faces flashing by.

  Alright, madam, isn't this enough? Kang Fan is almost in tears.

  Mei Xiang's face changed with a smile, you stupid soldier, even if I didn't dare not agree!

  The people around them burst into laughter. Kang Fan was only wiping the sweat from his forehead, and his heart was still racing wildly. But Mei Xiang turned back as if nothing had happened, and walked away with a swagger.

  Kang Fan suddenly felt very wronged, and loudly shouted behind her: "Auntie, I don't even have a wife yet, how can I be accused of 'keeping a second wife'?!

  The next day, the news spread throughout the county town. Mr. Kang was afraid that his wife's reputation would also be ruined. Yu Hao told Kang Fan: The person who leaked the secret is actually his own wife.

  Mrs. Zun is indeed quick-witted and quick-footed! Kang Fan said helplessly.

  Yu Hao was also scolded by Mei Xiang for helping Kang Fan find a concubine, and ended up losing face. He could only shake his head and smile wryly, saying "As for my younger brother's affairs, I'll let him handle it himself. As an older brother, I'm powerless to help!"

  Mei Xiang, on the other hand, didn't neglect Kang Fan. In the last few days of December, she brought several female classmates to the military camp almost every day, helping Kang Fan clean up his home and making him many delicious dishes. She also pasted couplets, replaced the paper-cut window decorations with new ones, and hung lanterns. Suddenly, the courtyard had a festive atmosphere.

  After the arrival of the Spring Festival, everyone spent their first year in the industrial park happily and harmoniously. They stayed up all night to make New Year's Eve dinner together, ate with joy, and on the first day of the new year, they were invited by He Jia to eat and stay for a day. Then, they went to Yu Hao's house to eat and stay for another day. It wasn't until the third day of the new year that everyone parted ways. Duonuo Wan bid farewell to everyone with his three companions and rushed to Europe and America to work on the next industrial development plan. Mei Xiang did not return to the hospital, but instead followed Kang Fan back to the military camp.

  "Are you watching me?" Kang Fan asked with a smile.

  Mei Xiang smiled and said: "Your legs are on your body, how can I monitor them? Let's see how self-aware you are."

  "If you can collect dust for me every day, I will definitely not look for a maid again." Kang Fan said.

  She snorted in disdain, "Hmph! As a medical school flower and top student, I'd never stoop to doing chores like cooking, laundry, or cleaning for someone else. You're dreaming!"

  Kang Fan: You said it yourself, cooking, washing clothes, and cleaning the house, three things, I don't ask for more.

  Who said I wanted to do these things? Mei Xiang still had a hard mouth.

  Kong Fan no longer paid attention to her and rode Red Hare forward.

  Mei Xiang shouted from behind: Kang Fan, didn't I agree with you? Are you going to leave me here to feed the wolves?

  Kang Fan returned with a sly smile, leaning forward on his horse to admire Mei Xiang and said, "It's true, if a lovely girl like you were to be eaten by a wolf, the wolf that ate you would also attain enlightenment."

  Plum fragrance tenderly closed her eyes and smiled, so you this foolish soldier don't want to become an immortal?

  Kang Fan smiled ambiguously and pulled Mei Xiang onto Chi Tu, letting her sit in front of him. He wrapped one arm around her and patted Chi Tu's hindquarters with the other. Chi Tu, understanding human intentions, raised its head and started to trot slowly at first, then gradually accelerated, soon galloping freely. Mei Xiang cried out in surprise, turned around, and tightly hugged Kang Fan's neck, closing her eyes in fear.

  Back in the military camp, the officer on duty to guard the gate tonight was a former member of the Blue Demon Squad and knew Mei Xiang. He hastily made a fist and bowed his head: "Subordinate greets Mrs. Kang."

  Mei Xiang turned her head to look at Kang Fan. Kang Fan deliberately turned his head away. Mei Xiang angrily punched Kang Fan with a fist. Kang Fan cried out in pain.

  Pretend you didn't hear! Meixiang said with a scowl.

  All the officials and soldiers in front of the camp gate could not help but cover their mouths and laugh secretly.

  Back at the residence, the officials and soldiers had already lit the brazier in the hall, and the bright red charcoal inside made people feel warm just by looking at it. Kang Fan put the luggage Mei Xiang brought on the table, Mei Xiang walked over, opened it, and tidied up. Kang Fan glanced at it and saw that they were all Mei Xiang's personal belongings, and couldn't help but smile with satisfaction: It seems she was planning to stay here often.

  Mei Xiang gave Kang Fan a sideways glance and said with annoyance: In order to make you behave, I'll have to humble myself.

  Kang Fan muttered in a low voice: I don't know who's being wronged!

  Mei Xiang heard it and immediately turned red with anger. Kang Fan hastily retreated to a distance, holding the washbasin to rinse his face.

  After that, Mei Xiang and Kang Fan lived a brotherly life like the first time they went to He Shui Zhang's house, eating and living together. The food and clothes made by Mei Xiang were as delicate and memorable as she was, and Kang Fan really liked them. After the New Year's holiday, in order to make it convenient for Mei Xiang to commute to work, Kang Fan specially prepared a horse-drawn carriage for her, which was driven by cavalry officers. In this way, Mei Xiang's daily trip to the county hospital and back home to the military camp became much faster and more comfortable.